Electric Vehicle Torque Redistribution for Hill Climbing Traction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicles, particularly trucks, face difficulties in adapting to unusual driving conditions such as climbing hills or getting stuck in mud pits due to uniform torque distribution between front and rear axles, which can hinder performance.

Innovation Solution

A control unit adjusts torque distribution between the front and rear axles or individual wheels based on driving conditions, such as slope detection and wheel slip, to optimize torque allocation for improved adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If torque is distributed uniformly (1:1 ratio) to front and rear axles during normal driving, then the vehicle can be driven smoothly with simple control, but the vehicle cannot effectively handle unusual driving conditions such as climbing hills or getting stuck in mud pits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to driving conditionsVSAvoidtorque distribution control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic torque distribution by enabling the control unit to adjust the torque ratio between front and rear axles based on detected driving conditions. Instead of a fixed 1:1 distribution, the system dynamically modifies torque allocation (e.g., increasing rear axle torque during hill climbing or when wheels are stuck) to adapt to varying operational requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If torque is redistributed to improve climbing ability and traction in unusual conditions, then the vehicle's performance in challenging conditions improves, but the control system becomes more complex requiring detection of driving states and conditional logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance in challenging conditionsVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms by using sensors to detect driving conditions (such as wheel slip, acceleration patterns, or terrain characteristics) and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts torque distribution based on this feedback, enabling improved reliability in challenging conditions while keeping the control logic manageable through condition-based responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Power

If the total torque meets the requirements for hill climbing but is distributed 1:1 to front and rear axles, then the overall power is sufficient, but the vehicle still cannot complete the climb due to improper torque allocation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal torque outputVSAvoidtorque distribution adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by distributing torque differently to front and rear axles based on specific driving conditions. Instead of uniform distribution, the system allocates higher torque to the rear axle during hill climbing scenarios (where rear wheel traction is more effective) or to the front axle when front wheels have better grip, thereby optimizing the use of available total torque for specific operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4143044B1Torque redistribution and adjustment method, and corresponding control unit and electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4143044B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4143044B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4143044B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention discloses a method for redistributing and adjusting torque of an electric vehicle (1), wherein the electric vehicle (1) at least comprises a first electric drive (17) for a front axle (11) and a second electric drive (18) for a rear axle (14), the method comprising at least the steps of: determining whether the electric vehicle (1) is in a driving state requiring redistribution of torque; and adjusting the torque initially distributed to the front axle (11) and/or the rear axle (14) or the torque initially distributed to the respective wheels by controlling the first electric drive (17) and/or the second electric drive (18) if it is determined that the electric vehicle (1) is in the driving state requiring redistribution of torque. In addition, further disclosed are a corresponding control unit (19) for an electric vehicle (1), a corresponding computer-readable program medium and a corresponding electric vehicle (1). Better torque distribution can be made for specific driving states.